Fastening device



June 15, 1948. w, DZUS 2,443,309

FASTENING DEVICE Filed NOV. ll, 1942 INVENTOR WITNESSES Patented June 15, 1948 UNITED STATESf` PATENT OFFICE 2,443,309 FAsTENINo. DEVICE William Dzus, lWest Islip, hN.l Y.

Application November 11, 1942, Serial No. 465,237

This invention relates to a fastening device for detachably connecting or fastening one part or component to another part or component of various and sundry devices, structural units and construction Work.

4More particularly, the device of the present invention relates to the type of device disclosed in my Patent No. 1,955,740, granted to me on April 24, 1934. Such type of device is designed and'adapted for quickly, easily, and effectually attaching or fastening to each other components or parts of some device, structure or unitary construction and for likewise detaching or unfastening such parts.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the indicated character which embodies improved features in order that the device is compact, well suited for its intended purpose and affords economic advantages with regard to the production, assembly and installation of the parts thereof for use.

The nature of the invention and its disting-uishing lfeatures and advantages will appear when the following specification is read .in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. "1 is a sectional view showing a fastening device of the invention in use;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a top view;

Fig. 4 is a bottom View;

Fig. 5 is a top view of one of the fastener elements;

Fig. 6 is a side view oi the element shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a side View of the element shown in Fig. 5, -but turned 90 degrees from the position thereof shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a 'perspective view of the plug abutment per se;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the stud element of the device.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be apparent from Figs. l and 2 that the device involves the use of a button or stud fastener element I0 applied for turning movement to a part I I to be fastened or attached to a second part I2 which carries a fastener element I3 of the present invention 4which cooperates with the vfastener element I0.

The parts II and I2 may be components of ydivers structures and devices too numerous to mention, and which components are to be quickly attached to each other in a secure manner yet be readily detached when desired.

9 claims. (o1. 2li- 22%) The element Ill is of standard type consisting of a shank I4 having a head I5 on one end and svpirally slotted cam action means I6 embodied by the shank at the end opposite that having the head, and which means I6 is designed and adapted for cooperative engagement with the element I3 by the turning of the element I0.

The element Ill is turnably applied to the part II by means of a groove I1 in the shank below the head I5, and a grommet I8 secured to the 'part II is engaged in said groove I1 to thus complete the application of the element IIl to the part I I.

The element I3 consists of a piece of spring or resilient material, such as Wire stock, which is bent and formed to provide two legs I9 having helixes or spring coils 20 joined by a cross-member 2l at one end of the element- The legs I9 each have a straight portion 22 and a laterally projecting terminal end portion 23 which serve as anchoring means. The legs 22 are longitudinally extending, that is, they extend in the same direction as the coils. The portions 22 are substantially parallel to each other and the portions 23 are disposed diametrically opposite each other at the end olf the element I3 opposite that having the cross-member 2|. The cross-member 2I is disposed centrally and diametrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the element I3. The coils 20 of one leg I9 are interco-iled with those of the other leg I9, the coils of said legs being spiralled in the same direction.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, the element I3 is retained in functioning position by a piece of material in the form of a plug 24 serving as an abutment. This plug 24 has grooves 25 in the opposite sides respectively, diametrically opposite each other to receive the portions 22 respectively, with the end portions 23 bearing on one flat face of the plug and two of the coils 20 bearing on the other flat face of the plug. In this manner the plug is associated with the element I3, and as a unit may be located in a hole or opening 26 extending through the part I2. The element I3 will be fixed in place by the mere act of driving the plug 24 into the opening 26. The plug has a driving t to the wall of the opening and securely holds the element I3 and therefore the crossmember 2I from turning about the longitudinal axis of the element I3. The cross-member 2| is resiliently disposed at the entrance end of the opening 26. The element I3 normally is nascent. An annulus or washer 21 is seated in a counterbore 28 in the part I2 surrounding the entrance end of the opening, said washer being pressed tightly in rplace and serving as a guide for the fastener element I0.

The two parts Il and I2 may be quickly and easily fastened or secured to each other by bringing the part I I toward the part I2 so that the shank I4 of the element I0 enters the aperture in the washer 21 which guides the means I6 into engagement with the cross-member 2 I. By turning the element I one-fourth of a revolution with a suitable tool engaged with the head I5, said means I 6 cooperating with the cross-member 2| will draw the cross-member 2|, subject to the spring tension of the coils 20, in interlocking engagement with the shank I4, thus effecting the fastening of said parts to each other as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The parts Il and I2 may be readily unfastened from each other by a reverse turning of the element I0.

It is to be understood thatthe vfastener element I3, together with the plug 24, constitute a fastener unit which may be attached by a single operation in which such unit is driven into functioning position in a suitable opening provided to receive the same wherever wanted. While the end portions 23 are exposed and preferably bear against one flat face of the plug 24, it is to be understood that such portions 23 may be disposed in holes respectively of the body of the plug.

I claim: 4j /g 1. In a fastening device p rt having an opening therein, a fastener el ent in said opening, said element being constructed of spring 22e stock to provide intermediate spring coils, a cr member joining said coils on one end of said element at t entrance end of said opening, and anchoring eans joining si coils on the other end of said element, said p* t having a notched piece fixed in said opening at the other end thereof in engagement with said anchoring means to secure said element in place and also serving as an abutment therefor, whereby said coils may function in conjunction with said cross-member so that the latter may be cooperatively engaged by a suitable companion fastener element.

2. In a fastening device, a fastener element consisting of a single piece of material having springcoils, a cooperative cross-member joining the coils land resiliently sustained by the coils, and anchoring portions in continuation of said coils; and a notched plug engaged with said anchoring portions to retain said element in functioning position.

3. A resilient co-engageable fastener element consisting of a single piece of material providing spring coils, a cooperative cross-member joined to the coils to -resiliently sustain the cross-member, and anchoring portions in continuation of said coils, the convolutions of one coil intercoiled with convolutions of the other coil; and a plug having means engaged with said anchoring portions to retain the -fastener element in functioning position.

4. In a fastening device, a part having an opening therein, a fixed abutment at the inner end of said opening, and a spirally coiled resilient element Withinl said opening having means engaged with said abutment to prevent turning movement of said element, said element also having a portion extending transversely of said opening at the outer entrance end thereof constituting means to be detachably engaged by a suitable cooperative fastener element.

5. A fastener element consisting of a resilient piece of material providing a portion resiliently disposed for cooperative fastening action, said element also having anchoring means, and a plug engaged with said anchoring means adapted to secure said element in place within an opening in a part to be fastened to a second part, by virtue of said anchoring means.

6. A resilient co-engageable fastener element adapted to be arranged within an opening in the part to be fastened, a plug, and coacting means on the element and the plug to retain said element in functioning position within said opening, when the plug is driven into said opening in contact with thewall thereof. g

7. In a fastening device, a part having an opening therein-,m an abutment consisting of a notched plug having a driving fit in saidopening, a spring fastener member in -said opening, and having a cross member resiliently disposed at the entrance end of said opening, said element having means engaged in the notches insaid plug to retain the element in place against turning movement and to maintain the cross member properly disposed.

8. In a fastening device, a part having an opening therein, an abutment fixed to said part in said opening, a fastening element consisting of a single piece of material providing two legs in the form of coil springs arranged so that the coils of one leg are intercoiled with those of the other, a cross member joining said springs between the same and anchoring terminals on said legs, said element being arranged within said opening and the terminals engaging said abutment with the lowermost coils of said springs bearing on said abutment to retain said element in position against turning movement to maintain the cross member properly disposed at the entrance end of said opening.

9. A resilient co-engaging fastening member comprising a unitary piece of spring wire arranged in a pair of similar helical coils having their convolutions intercoiled with each other, said coils being integrally connected by a cross bar at one end, and each coil having an anchoring portion at the opposite end, each of said anchoring portions consisting of a longitudinally extending, relatively elongated wire member having a terminal portion disposed substantially at right angles thereto and the anchoring portions of the respective coils being located at opposite sides of the fastening member.

WILLIAM DZUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,148,160 Hollerith Feb. 21, 1939 2,293,581 Whitesell Aug. 18, 1942 2,295,488 Mack Sept. 8, 1942 2,301,477 Taylor Nov. 10, 1942 2,314,746 White et al Mar. 23, 1943 gli 

